Basel’s Antoniuskirche: Solar Panel Plans Stalled by Heritage Concerns

Published28. November 2024, 16:52

Antoniuskirche Basel: Church wants to fight climate change, is blocked in left-wing city

The Basel monument preservation authority is stopping the church’s plans to equip the roof with solar systems. The church council has appealed.

von

• The Antoniuskirche in Basel, a listed building, is to be equipped with solar systems, which the building and transport department rejects.

• Monument preservationists fear that the appearance will be impaired.

• The church emphasizes that the roof is barely visible and the system could supply 240,000 kWh of electricity per year.

• The Roman Catholic Church of Basel-Stadt has appealed against the decision and is hoping for a positive turnaround.

The Antoniuskirche in Basel, a pioneering building and the first church in Switzerland to be built from reinforced concrete with no formwork, is causing discussions. However, the discourse is not about their architectural uniqueness, but rather about the plans to install solar panels on their roof. The Roman Catholic Church of Basel-Stadt (RKK) had submitted a corresponding building application for this purpose, which has now been rejected by the Building and Transport Department of the Canton of Basel-Stadt.

Monument preservation vs. sustainable energy

The building application aimed to make a contribution to the energy transition and to provide the church with a sustainable power supply. But the Basel monument preservation authorities opposed this. This church is a listed building, which is why any structural changes are strictly examined.

The Antonius Church is a listed building.

IMAGE/Archive

The construction and transport department of the canton of Basel-Stadt said: “An inspection by the monument preservation department showed that the solar system would be visible from public space.” This will affect the appearance of the Antonius Church.

The church disagrees

However, the church disagrees. “The roof of the Antoniuskirche can either not be seen or can hardly be seen, especially from the street, and even if you can see it, we are of the opinion that a solar power system would not seriously impair the monument,” explains the church council.

The RKK also emphasizes the output that the solar system could have provided – around 240,000 kWh per year. “We supply around 110 households with this.”

RKK Basel-Stadt files an appeal

The church council of the RKK Basel-Stadt lodged a complaint against this decision with the cantonal building appeals commission on November 8, 2024. “We are pursuing this appeal and are confident that our chances are intact,” says Beat Schönenberger.

A balancing of different interests

Joël Thüring, Grand Councilor of the SVP Basel-Stadt, says: “Solar expansion should be supported wherever possible. But there are limits.” Monument protection has a strong influence in Basel. In general, he sees a conflict between the expansion of sustainable energy and the preservation of monument protection. “It’s always a balancing of different interests,” he says. In individual cases it could make sense to install solar systems on such buildings. However, each project must be examined individually.

The Basel-City Greens did not comment on the matter within the 20-minute deadline.

Have you been following on Whatsapp for 20 minutes?

A news overview in the morning and at the end of the day, surprising stories and breaking news: Subscribe to the 20 Minutes WhatsApp channel and you will receive regular updates with our best stories directly to your cell phone.

* What compromises or ⁣potential ‌solutions could be explored to reconcile the needs of historical preservation with ⁣the ⁢urgent need to⁢ transition to renewable energy sources in urban ⁤environments?

## Church’s Green‌ Initiative Blocked by Basel’s Monument Preservation Authority

**Basel, Switzerland -** The‌ Antoniuskirche, a‌ Basel landmark and architectural pioneer, has found itself at the center of a debate pitting environmental sustainability against historical​ preservation. The Roman Catholic Church (RKK) of Basel-Stadt’s ‍plan to install solar panels on‌ the church’s roof, a move aimed at contributing to the energy transition ‍and providing​ a sustainable⁣ power source, has been stalled ‍due to concerns raised by the city’s monument preservation authorities.

The

Antoniuskirche,‍ constructed in the early 20th⁢ century, holds the distinction of⁤ being the‍ first church in ⁤Switzerland built using reinforced concrete without formwork. This pioneering construction technique, however, has made the church a listed building, subjecting ⁢any proposed modifications to stringent scrutiny.

While the RKK argues that ⁢the solar panels would be‌ largely invisible from public view, particularly from street ⁤level, the Building and Transport Department of the Canton of ‌Basel-Stadt has rejected the building application. Citing a review‍ conducted by the monument‌ preservation department, the department⁤ stated that the solar panels would be‍ inadvertently visible⁢ from public spaces, thereby ‌impacting the church’s aesthetic appeal.

In defense of its proposal, the RKK emphasizes the minimal⁢ visibility of the roof and highlights ⁤the significant environmental benefits the solar system would bring. According to the church, the​ installation has the potential to generate 240,000 kWh of electricity annually, a substantial contribution towards sustainable energy production.

Undeterred by⁢ the ⁢initial​ setback, the‌ RKK has lodged an appeal against the decision, expressing hope for a positive resolution that would allow them⁢ to proceed with ⁤their green ‍initiative.

This case illuminates‍ the‍ delicate balance between preserving historical ⁣integrity and embracing contemporary sustainability concerns. As cities grapple with the challenges of climate ⁢change and seek to reduce their carbon footprint, the ⁢debate surrounding the‌ preservation of heritage buildings versus the⁤ adoption of eco-friendly solutions is likely to​ intensify.

The⁤ outcome of ‌the Antoniuskirche’s appeal will⁢ be closely watched,‍ potentially setting a precedent for similar initiatives in Basel and beyond.

**Further ​Reporting:**

* Interviews with ‍representatives from the RKK, the Building and ⁢Transport Department, and the Basel Monument Preservation Authority to ⁤gain diverse ‍perspectives on ‍the issue.

* Analysis of ⁤other examples ⁤where historical buildings ⁣have been retrofitted with sustainable technologies, exploring‍ best practices and potential compromises.

*⁣ Examination of Basel’s overall approach to‍ balancing historic preservation with climate action, highlighting existing⁢ policies and guidelines.